When there are Problems - or You Want to Create Change - ​on Campus

Maybe you're a student with a disability and your professor or advisor is not providing accommodations. Perhaps you're a faculty member who can't get help from disability services. Regardless of what happens, here are campus resources who may be able to help, and ideas for addressing problems. You don't have to do these in order - they're just listed to help you think about options. And if things aren't going well, remember to take care of yourself (see information about taking care of yourself on our page about personal issues).

Option 1: Talk to the Person Responsible

First step should always be to talk with the person who is causing problems. If this doesn't work, talk to the head of the department (if a faculty member is the problem), or the head of disability services (if disability services are the issue).

Option 2:Call for Reinforcements to Act as Allies or Mediators

Campuses are full of resources. Consider checking to see if any of the following people on your campus might be available or helpful.

Ombuds Office - an office designed to handle any complaints of students

The ADA/504 Compliance Officer or Coordinator - might work in disability services, but more often is in a separate office that oversees the whole campus

Your Dean or Academic Affairs officer - this is a person who wants students to do well and graduate, so they're likely to be highly motivated in solving problems as they arise

Human Resources - the campus experts on all things related to employment (although there is sometimes a different office for student employment or graduate student employment)

Chaplains - a highly under-utilized resource, since chaplains usually are well-connected to resources on and off campus, and they usually have a lot of training in conflict resolution

Counseling services - sometimes counseling services have personnel who can mediate disputes or conflicts between students, faculty members, or offices​​​

Option 3​File a Complaint

Every campus is required to have grievance procedures in place for students; there's more information here on our website about grievance policies

If the campus is not paying attention and you believe there is a violation of the law or your rights, contact the Office of Civil Rights; know that they will insist on seeing evidence of the violation, and they will aim for mediation first

The NCCSD is based with the Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD). Please see caveats on the home page about assuming the NCCSD, AHEAD or the US Dept. of Education agree with all content on linked pages, and we can't guarantee the accessibility of other sites.

All images are from Bigstock.com or public domain except where noted. The material on this website is available in alternative formats upon request. Questions, concerns or requests about accessibility should be sent to nccsd@ahead.org.